Parliamentary questions

Educational Disadvantage

Ged Nash

40. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Education her views on the difficulties experienced in DEIS schools following the reduction in the primary schools books grant (details supplied); if she will review this decision; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21997/24]

School Meals Programme

Ged Nash

65. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Social Protection if meal providers to schools are required to provide for the various dietary requirements of students, for example, coeliac; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21943/24]

Employment Rights

Ged Nash

80. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Taoiseach if any State, semi-State or commercial semi-State agency under the aegis of their Department is aware of any cases of bogus self-employment in any bodies under their remit from 2020 to 1 May 2024; if they will outline if there are currently any cases from such agencies or bodies currently before the SCOPE section of the Department of Social Protection for investigation or determination; if there are any SCOPE findings and recommendations relating to any agencies or bodies under their remit where SCOPE has found in favour of the worker, and where they recommended the reclassification of the workers’ employment status to that of direct employee between 2020 and 1 May 2024; and if they will provide information on the numbers involved and the names of the individual agencies and bodies in all cases. [21700/24]

Employment Rights

Ged Nash

97. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if any State, semi-State or commercial semi-State agency under the aegis of their Department is aware of any cases of bogus self-employment in any bodies under their remit from 2020 to 1 May 2024; if they will outline if there are currently any cases from such agencies or bodies currently before the SCOPE section of the Department of Social Protection for investigation or determination; if there are any SCOPE findings and recommendations relating to any agencies or bodies under their remit where SCOPE has found in favour of the worker, and where they recommended the reclassification of the workers’ employment status to that of direct employee between 2020 and 1 May 2024; if they will provide information on the numbers involved and the names of the individual agencies and bodies in all cases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21692/24]

Employment Rights

Ged Nash

129. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if any State, semi-State or commercial semi-State agency under the aegis of their Department is aware of any cases of bogus self-employment in any bodies under their remit from 2020 to 1 May 2024; if they will outline if there are currently any cases from such agencies or bodies currently before the SCOPE section of the Department of Social Protection for investigation or determination; if there are any SCOPE findings and recommendations relating to any agencies or bodies under their remit where SCOPE has found in favour of the worker, and where they recommended the reclassification of the workers’ employment status to that of direct employee between 2020 and 1 May 2024; if they will provide information on the numbers involved and the names of the individual agencies and bodies in all cases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21690/24]

Employment Rights

Ged Nash

157. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if any State, semi-State or commercial semi-State agency under the aegis of their Department is aware of any cases of bogus self-employment in any bodies under their remit from 2020 to 1 May 2024; if they will outline if there are currently any cases from such agencies or bodies currently before the SCOPE section of the Department of Social Protection for investigation or determination; if there are any SCOPE findings and recommendations relating to any agencies or bodies under their remit where SCOPE has found in favour of the worker, and where they recommended the reclassification of the workers’ employment status to that of direct employee between 2020 and 1 May 2024; if they will provide information on the numbers involved and the names of the individual agencies and bodies in all cases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21687/24]

Employment Rights

Ged Nash

219. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Transport if any State, semi-State or commercial semi-State agency under the aegis of their Department is aware of any cases of bogus self-employment in any bodies under their remit from 2020 to 1 May 2024; if they will outline if there are currently any cases from such agencies or bodies currently before the SCOPE section of the Department of Social Protection for investigation or determination; if there are any SCOPE findings and recommendations relating to any agencies or bodies under their remit where SCOPE has found in favour of the worker, and where they recommended the reclassification of the workers’ employment status to that of direct employee between 2020 and 1 May 2024; if they will provide information on the numbers involved and the names of the individual agencies and bodies in all cases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21701/24]

Employment Rights

Ged Nash

242. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Finance if any State, semi-State or commercial semi-State agency, under the aegis of their Department, is aware of any cases of bogus self-employment in any bodies under their remit from 2020 to 1 May 2024; if they will outline if there are currently any cases from such agencies or bodies currently before the Scope section of the Department of Social Protection for investigation or determination; if there are any Scope findings and recommendations relating to any agencies or bodies under their remit where Scope has found in favour of the worker, and where it recommended the reclassification of the workers’ employment status to that of direct employee between 2020 and 1 May 2024; if they will provide information on the numbers involved and the names of the individual agencies and bodies in all cases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21691/24]

Employment Rights

Ged Nash

254. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if any State, semi-State or commercial semi-State agency under the aegis of their Department is aware of any cases of bogus self-employment in any bodies under their remit from 2020 to 1 May 2024; if they will outline if there are currently any cases from such agencies or bodies currently before the Scope section of the Department of Social Protection for investigation or determination; if there are any Scope findings and recommendations relating to any agencies or bodies under their remit where Scope has found in favour of the worker, and where they recommended the reclassification of the workers’ employment status to that of direct employee between 2020 and 1 May 2024; if they will provide information on the numbers involved, and the names of the individual agencies and bodies in all cases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21697/24]

Employment Rights

Ged Nash

274. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if any State, semi-State or commercial semi-State agency under the aegis of his Department is aware of any cases of bogus self-employment in any bodies under their remit from 2020 to 1 May 2024; if he will outline if there are currently any cases from such agencies or bodies currently before the SCOPE section of the Department of Social Protection for investigation or determination; if there are any SCOPE findings and recommendations relating to any agencies or bodies under their remit where SCOPE has found in favour of the worker, and where they recommended the reclassification of the workers’ employment status to that of direct employee between 2020 and 1 May 2024; if he will provide information on the numbers involved and the names of the individual agencies and bodies in all cases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21689/24]

Employment Rights

Ged Nash

332. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Education if any State, semi-State or commercial semi-State agency under the aegis of their Department is aware of any cases of bogus self-employment in any bodies under their remit from 2020 to 1 May 2024; if they will outline if there are currently any cases from such agencies or bodies currently before the SCOPE section of the Department of Social Protection for investigation or determination; if there are any SCOPE findings and recommendations relating to any agencies or bodies under their remit where SCOPE has found in favour of the worker, and where they recommended the reclassification of the workers’ employment status to that of direct employee between 2020 and 1 May 2024; if they will provide information on the numbers involved and the names of the individual agencies and bodies in all cases; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21688/24]

Employment Rights

Ged Nash

354. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if any State, semi-State or commercial semi-State agency under the aegis of their Department is aware of any cases of bogus self-employment in any bodies under their remit from 2020 to 1 May 2024; if they will outline if there are currently any cases from such agencies or bodies currently before the SCOPE section of the Department of Social Protection for investigation or determination; if there are any SCOPE findings and recommendations relating to any agencies or bodies under their remit where SCOPE has found in favour of the worker, and where they recommended the reclassification of the workers’ employment status to that of direct employee between 2020 and 1 May 2024; if they will provide information on the numbers involved and the names of the individual agencies and bodies in all cases; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21702/24]

Employment Rights

Ged Nash

382. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if any State, semi-State or commercial semi-State agency under the aegis of their Department is aware of any cases of bogus self-employment in any bodies under their remit from 2020 to 1 May 2024; if they will outline if there are currently any cases from such agencies or bodies currently before the SCOPE section of the Department of Social Protection for investigation or determination; if there are any SCOPE findings and recommendations relating to any agencies or bodies under their remit where SCOPE has found in favour of the worker, and where they recommended the reclassification of the workers’ employment status to that of direct employee between 2020 and 1 May 2024; if they will provide information on the numbers involved and the names of the individual agencies and bodies in all cases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21695/24]

Employment Rights

Ged Nash

419. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Social Protection if any State, semi-State or commercial semi-State agency under the aegis of their Department is aware of any cases of bogus self-employment in any bodies under their remit from 2020 to 1 May 2024; if they will outline if there are currently any cases from such agencies or bodies currently before the SCOPE section of the Department of Social Protection for investigation or determination; if there are any SCOPE findings and recommendations relating to any agencies or bodies under their remit where SCOPE has found in favour of the worker, and where they recommended the reclassification of the workers’ employment status to that of direct employee between 2020 and 1 May 2024; if they will provide information on the numbers involved and the names of the individual agencies and bodies in all cases; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21699/24]

Employment Rights

Ged Nash

464. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Justice if any State, semi-State or commercial semi-State agency under the aegis of their Department is aware of any cases of bogus self-employment in any bodies under their remit from 2020 to 1 May 2024; if they will outline if there are currently any cases from such agencies or bodies currently before the SCOPE section of the Department of Social Protection for investigation or determination; if there are any SCOPE findings and recommendations relating to any agencies or bodies under their remit where SCOPE has found in favour of the worker, and where they recommended the reclassification of the workers’ employment status to that of direct employee between 2020 and 1 May 2024; if they will provide information on the numbers involved and the names of the individual agencies and bodies in all cases; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21696/24]

Employment Rights

Ged Nash

491. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if any State, semi-State or commercial semi-State agency under the aegis of their Department is aware of any cases of bogus self-employment in any bodies under their remit from 2020 to 1 May 2024; if they will outline if there are currently any cases from such agencies or bodies currently before the SCOPE section of the Department of Social Protection for investigation or determination; if there are any SCOPE findings and recommendations relating to any agencies or bodies under their remit where SCOPE has found in favour of the worker, and where they recommended the reclassification of the workers employment status to that of direct employee between 2020 and 1 May 2024; if they will provide information on the numbers involved and the names of the individual agencies and bodies in all cases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21685/24]

Employment Rights

Ged Nash

528. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if any State, semi-State or commercial semi-State agency under the aegis of their Department is aware of any cases of bogus self-employment in any bodies under their remit from 2020 to 1 May 2024; if they will outline if there are currently any cases from such agencies or bodies currently before the SCOPE section of the Department of Social Protection for investigation or determination; if there are any SCOPE findings and recommendations relating to any agencies or bodies under their remit where SCOPE has found in favour of the worker, and where they recommended the reclassification of the workers’ employment status to that of direct employee between 2020 and 1 May 2024; if they will provide information on the numbers involved and the names of the individual agencies and bodies in all cases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21686/24]

Health Services

Ged Nash

601. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Health the overarching strategy of the national OPAT programme; if it will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21545/24]

Health Services

Ged Nash

602. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Health how many bed days have been saved in the past three years, as a result of the national OPAT programme. [21546/24]

Health Services

Ged Nash

603. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Health how many patients have been treated over the past three years by the national OPAT programme; the breakdown of those figures in terms of home OPAT, community OPAT and self OPAT; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21547/24]

Health Services

Ged Nash

604. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Health if he will provide information on the future investment planned for the national OPAT programme; if there are plans within the special delivery unit of the HSE to expand the national OPAT and CIT service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21548/24]

Health Services Staff

Ged Nash

620. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Health if any State, semi-State or commercial semi-State agency under the aegis of their Department is aware of any cases of bogus self-employment in any bodies under their remit from 2020 to 1 May 2024; if they will outline if there are currently any cases from such agencies or bodies currently before the SCOPE section of the Department of Social Protection for investigation or determination; if there are any SCOPE findings and recommendations relating to any agencies or bodies under their remit where SCOPE has found in favour of the worker, and where they recommended the reclassification of the workers’ employment status to that of direct employee between 2020 and 1 May 2024; if they will provide information on the numbers involved and the names of the individual agencies and bodies in all cases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21694/24]

Further and Higher Education

Ged Nash

667. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he is aware of the anomaly faced by 60 students attending Ballyfermot College of Further Education who, despite attending classes for a BA honours degree in animation and visual media from Monday to Thursday, on a weekly basis, have their course designated as part-time and therefore not entitled to a SUSI grant; what plans he has to address this anomaly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21683/24]

Employment Rights

Ged Nash

680. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if any State, semi-State or commercial semi-State agency under the aegis of their Department is aware of any cases of bogus self-employment in any bodies under their remit from 2020 to 1 May 2024; if they will outline if there are currently any cases from such agencies or bodies currently before the SCOPE section of the Department of Social Protection for investigation or determination; if there are any SCOPE findings and recommendations relating to any agencies or bodies under their remit where SCOPE has found in favour of the worker, and where they recommended the reclassification of the workers’ employment status to that of direct employee between 2020 and 1 May 2024; if they will provide information on the numbers involved and the names of the individual agencies and bodies in all cases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21693/24]

Employment Rights

Ged Nash

695. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if any State, semi-State or commercial semi-State agency under the aegis of their Department is aware of any cases of bogus self-employment in any bodies under their remit from 2020 to 1 May 2024; if they will outline if there are currently any cases from such agencies or bodies currently before the SCOPE section of the Department of Social Protection for investigation or determination; if there are any SCOPE findings and recommendations relating to any agencies or bodies under their remit where SCOPE has found in favour of the worker, and where they recommended the reclassification of the workers’ employment status to that of direct employee between 2020 and 1 May 2024; if they will provide information on the numbers involved and the names of the individual agencies and bodies in all cases; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21698/24]

Flood Risk Management

Ged Nash

163. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if he will request the OPW to investigate the provision of flood defences for residents at Marsh Road, Bellurgan, Dundalk, County Louth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21013/24]

Childcare Services

Ged Nash

257. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the position on the recognition and regulation of childminders who are caring for children in their own homes (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21014/24]

Departmental Policies

Ged Nash

381. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Justice to provide a copy of the written agreement with the UK in November 2020 that seeks to protect the integrity of the Common Travel Area between Ireland and the UK, and which, it is reported, provides for reciprocal returns of asylum seekers who are deemed inadmissible; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20522/24]

Budget Process

Ged Nash

72. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform to set out how he plans to limit the deployment of so-called "non-core" expenditure as he develops plans for budget 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20050/24]

Passport Services

Ged Nash

146. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs to clarify a policy matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18940/24]

Ports Policy

Ged Nash

171. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will engage with the leadership of the Drogheda Port Company (details supplied) further to correspondence he received on 12 April 2024; his position on the points raised in that correspondence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19255/24]

Pension Provisions

Ged Nash

209. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Transport his views on the High Court judgment issued on 19 April in a case (details supplied); if he will now make the necessary arrangements to approve an increase in the pension payments to CIÉ pensioners who are members of the ‘1951 scheme’; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19114/24]

EU Directives

Ged Nash

249. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Finance the background to and current situation with regard to the European Commission’s announcement of 24 April 2024 that it was sending Ireland a letter of formal notice (INFR(2024)2037) for the incorrect transposition of Directive (EU) 2018/849 on the prevention of the use of the financial system for the purposes of money laundering or terrorist financing (the 5th anti-money laundering directive); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19497/24]

EU Directives

Ged Nash

278. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the nature of and the current situation with regard to the European Commission’s announcement of 20 September 2022 that it was sending Ireland a formal notice (INFR(2022)0369) in respect of Directive (EU) 2019/1152 on transparent and predictable working conditions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19498/24]

EU Directives

Ged Nash

279. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the nature of and current situation with regard to the European Commission’s announcement of 26 January 2023 that it was sending Ireland a reasoned opinion (INFR(2018)2235) for the non-conformity of Irish legislation with Directive 2014/67/EU on the enforcement of Directive 96/71/EC; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19499/24]

Wind Energy Guidelines

Ged Nash

384. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when he expects to update and modernise wind turbine setback guidelines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19295/24]

Care of the Elderly

Ged Nash

654. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Health the membership of the reference group of stakeholders that will help inform the work of the Commission on Care for Older People; how persons and interested service providers and representative bodies will feed into the work of the commission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18895/24]

Health Service Executive

Ged Nash

666. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Health if the HSE's CHO8 intends to provide any financial support to an organisation (details supplied) to deliver important supports in the community in the administrative area for those who have experienced heart events or stroke; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18943/24]

Special Educational Needs

Ged Nash

174. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Education if she will address a serious issue at a school in Omeath, County Louth (details supplied) that has seen its allocation of special education teaching hours cut for the second year running, putting enormous strain on the school’s staff and putting the provision of the SET teaching support needed at the school, greatly at risk; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18461/24]

Departmental Advertising

Ged Nash

7. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Taoiseach for figures on the total spend for all forms of advertising in the years 2022 and 2023 in his Department; if figures can be provided on each Department’s spend on local media advertising (print and broadcast respectively, and broken down on that basis) for those years; and if the Department used/uses an agency to place advertising. [18400/24]

Departmental Advertising

Ged Nash

11. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs for figures on the total spend for all forms of advertising in the years 2022 and 2023 in his Department; if figures can be provided on each Department’s spend on local media advertising (print and broadcast respectively, and broken down on that basis) for those years; if the Department used/uses an agency to place advertising; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18392/24]

Departmental Advertising

Ged Nash

14. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications for figures on the total spend for all forms of advertising in the years 2022 and 2023 in his Department; if figures can be provided on each Department’s spend on local media advertising (print and broadcast respectively, and broken down on that basis) for those years; if the Department used/uses an agency to place advertising; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18390/24]

Departmental Advertising

Ged Nash

18. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence for figures on the total spend for all forms of advertising in the years 2022 and 2023 in his Department; if figures can be provided on each Department’s spend on local media advertising (print and broadcast respectively, and broken down on that basis) for those years; if the Department used/uses an agency to place advertising; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18387/24]

Departmental Advertising

Ged Nash

29. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Transport for figures on the total spend for all forms of advertising in the years 2022 and 2023 in his Department; if figures can be provided on each Department’s spend on local media advertising (print and broadcast respectively, and broken down on that basis) for those years; if the Department used/uses an agency to place advertising; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18402/24]

Departmental Advertising

Ged Nash

39. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Finance for figures on the total spend for all forms of advertising in the years 2022 and 2023 in his Department; if figures can be provided on each Department’s spend on local media advertising (print and broadcast respectively, and broken down on that basis) for those years; if the Department used/uses an agency to place advertising; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18391/24]

Departmental Advertising

Ged Nash

43. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform for figures on the total spend for all forms of advertising in the years 2022 and 2023 in his Department; if figures can be provided on each Department’s spend on local media advertising (print and broadcast respectively, and broken down on that basis) for those years; if the Department used/uses an agency to place advertising; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18397/24]

EU Directives

Ged Nash

45. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he intends to support the current scope of application of the EU Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive, which would exclude the vast majority of Irish companies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18146/24]

EU Directives

Ged Nash

46. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his views on the current lengthy approach to the transposition of the EU Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive, which would delay the administering of justice; if he will commit to ensuring that the Directive is transposed into Irish law as soon as is possible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18147/24]

EU Directives

Ged Nash

47. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will support the ‘value chain’ definition based on internationally agreed standards from the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and the OECD guidelines and work to ensure that serious downstream human rights impacts are not excluded when it comes to transposing the EU Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive into Irish law; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18148/24]

EU Directives

Ged Nash

48. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the steps he is taking to ensure that the financial sector in Ireland is held to account for its impact on human rights and the environment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18149/24]